An unseen evil haunting Ruki's dreams brings forth a spiral of loss, vengeance and destruction to her and the rest of the Tamers. But can the return of their partners bring the salvation that's so desperately needed? *RUKATO*

So this is it, the final chapter. It's been interesting
and challenging writing Swiftly Burning Ice, but also very rewarding to
receive the positive input from so many wonderful Authors. This final chapter
is dedicated to DigiDestined of Courage, whose remarkable encouragement
helped me to continue this story. And I would also like to thank: Flamegaruru,
Traveler, Exoduss, Hirokono, Lonewalker, Quantum Ranger, Rukato Fan, Dark
Child, Love Star, The Future Queen, Peter Kim, AnT, daisukefire, KevinEC,Prosopopeia, Digital Sword and Spectrum. Your
reviews have meant so much to me and I'm exceptionally grateful to you all.

Beelzebumon: Are you gonna spend the whole
time yappin' or actually get to the point?

Very funny. The only reason that you're here again is
because I had you as a muse when I began to continue this story and wanted
consistency.

Beelzebumon: *sarcastically* Yeah
right. And here I was thinkin' you liked me.

I do. That's the reason why I've written stories where I
push you to your limit mentally and emotionally. I do that to all my favorite
characters. Anyway, I hope that everyone is in character and that you enjoy
this last chapter and the preview of the sequel, Into the Darkness: The
Demon Saga Part I

Disclaimer: Digimon is the property of Toei Animation and
of Bandai. Hekatemon, Lobomon and Erinyemon belong to me.

Culumon looked up at Juri, frowning at the tears on her
face. He shuddered, remembering the last time he had seen her so upset, the
time during which they had been trapped within the D-Reaper and right
before…Culumon hugged Juri more tightly.

I don't want Juri to be sad. I want Ruki and Renamon to
come back, culu. So everyone can be happy again.

Close by him, the feelings of Beelzebumon were very
different. Fury coursed through him, causing him to unconsciously move forward.
Though he hadn't really shown it very often, he considered Renamon to be his
closest friend. Even when he annoyed her with his taunting and nearly sent her
on the road to deletion back in the Digital World, she and Ruki had cared
enough to save him from himself. And now, she was gone. Turned into an ice
statue courtesy of a frozen freak that had a few screws loose.

"Wait." Takato uttered solemnly from across the room. The
Tamers and Beelzebumon turned to face him, frowns common upon all of their
faces.

Don't do anything stupid kid, Beelzebumon thought
anxiously as he saw the look on Takato's face. It was the same unforgiving glare
that he himself had received after his absorption of Leomon. His eyes were
narrowed and seemed to burn with his rage and his jaw was set.

"Takato, you're not-" Jenrya began uncertainly.

"Don't worry." Takato cut him off. "I'm not going to let
my anger control me, not this time. We've lost Ruki and I won't let Guilmon
become Megidramon again and get hurt because of my selfishness."

"'Intriguing?' You hurt our friends and you think it's
funny?" Takato spoke slowly. "You're a monster. D-Reaper was terrible and the
Devas were only doing what they thought was right, but you have no heart!
You've hurt people that had no defense against your power and you've enjoyed it!
You've frozen our friends and parts of Shinjuku and now it's time for you to
pay! Pay for what you did to Hirokazu, Renamon," His voice wavered slightly.
"And to Ruki."

Jenrya nodded. "That's right. We fight to protect the
people that we care about, something that you can never understand. That's why
we'll defeat you, together!"

Eyes narrowing, Hekatemon flapped his wings sporadically.
The delight of Makino Ruki's death had given him a proverbial "second wind,"
and if he was forced to battle her companions, he knew that he would lose all
chance of leaving the area alive.

"It looks like I'll have to sit this one out." Jenrya
stated. "But Rapidmon-"

"Don't worry Jen," His partner answered cocking his
missile-seized hands. "I'll give him one for you. No one turns our friends into
icicles and gets away with it!"

Takato looked at Guilmon seriously. "I really need your
help Guilmon, but I don't want to force you to evolve and fight if you don't
want to."

Guilmon cocked his head uncomprehendingly. "Ruki and
Renamon were our are friends and now they're gone. Of course I'll help you
Takato, we're partners and I'll always fight by your side."

Feeling his eyes well slightly, Takato rubbed them with
the back of his hand. "Right, then let's do it." He glanced at Ryou, who had
his D-Arc in his hand.

"I'm way ahead of you." The Legendary Tamer said coolly.

Juri watched them warily. "Please, be careful."

Takato nodded solemnly, while Ryou gave the smallest of
grins. Then both of them drew their D-Arc's closer.

Hekatemon snarled as he watched the humans raise their
devices. Makino Ruki had done the same thing before she and her partner merged
into one being, he couldn't allow that to happen again.

"Matrix Evolution Activate!" Takato and Ryou shouted
simultaneously. The words "Matrix Evolution" appeared on both of their D-Arcs
and were spoken monotonously, as red and blue light burst forth. The light
immersed the two Tamers as they became data and united with their respective
digimon.

"Guilmon, Matrix Evolve!" Guilmon's reptilian body began
to change, as armor replaced his saurian hide. He grew larger, until a humanoid
digimon covered in white armor, red cape trailing behind him and shield in one
hand and pointed lance replacing the other, stood in his place.

"Cyberdramon, Matrix Evolve!" The armored dragon's body
became lither, as his crimson wings vanished and his armor changed. His silver
mask reformed, becoming the only remnant on his blank face. A cybernetic arm,
similar to Ryou's gauntlet and red scarf flying behind him, concluded the
evolution.

"Dukemon!"

"Justimon!"

With the completion of their transformations, Hekatemon
caused the remaining crystals of ice to break, liberating the digimon inside.
Several Mojayamon, hair covered and clutching bone clubs, rock solid Golemon,
Silphymon, a humanoid and avian hybrid and the arachnids Dokugamon, and
Archenmon, all with eyes glowing madness. And with the speed and strength of a
demonic flood, they instantly rushed the Tamers.

"This is bad," Juri muttered sadly, as Jenrya stood in
front of her, ready to protect her the best he could.

Dukemon struggled beneath the overpowering grasps of the
Golemon. Though they were only on the Adult level, it was their sheer numbers
that prevented the Matrix Evolved digimon from rising.

Despite his weariness, Hekatemon still managed to stand.
Though mass amounts of data leaked from his body, the Ultimate digimon would
not allow himself to vanish. Flapping his almost non-existent wings, Hekatemon
ascended into the air and glared down at the Tamers.

I have lost, he thought furiously. But with one
final stroke, I will destroy those who succeeded in ending my life. With
unexpected speed, Hekatemon swooped down, knocking the digimon that served him
aside and hefting the frozen statue that was Kuzuhamon, high into the air.

From below, Jenrya paled. "No, put her down!" He cried
out, knowing it would have no effect.

Hearing the sound of his voice, Rapidmon glanced upwards.
He struggled with the feral Dokugamon, trying to escape her web to help, but it
was to no avail.

Close to him, Beelzebumon was knocked to his knees by
Archnemon, who lacked his Ultimate level, but made up for it with cunning and
guile.

"Going somewhere handsome?" She cooed as she smashed her
massive bulk into his chest, causing him to fall backwards cursing.

"Trinity Arm!" Justimon shouted, sending a blast of light
to eliminate the Mojyamon that had assailed him, only to be slammed into a wall
by a Silphymon's "Dual Sonic" attack.

"Royal Saber!" Dukemon roared, bolts of lightning flying
from his lance and striking the Golemon, reducing them to data instantly.
Finally able to stand, he was ready to aide Rapidmon, but the sound of Juri
calling his name drew his attention.

"Takato!" Juri yelled, "You have to help Ruki!"

From within his sphere of crimson light, Takato was
alarmed. He already froze Ruki and Renamon, what more can he do to
them?

The sound of breaking glass and the sight of icicles
falling and shattering on the ground alerted everyone to Hekatemon going
through the roof of the building, with Kuzuhamon still in his arms.

"Death has come for you Makino Ruki!" He shrieked
insanely, flying high into the sky. "Death has come!" He laboriously raised
Kuzuhamon over his head, preparing to release his hold and send her toppling to
the ground.

Dukemon's golden eyes widened with horror and taking a
running start, he leaped into the air.

Guilmon, we can't reach her! Takato spoke
dejectedly as they began to fall.

We really need wings Takato. His partner replied.

Wings. The thought made Takato's heart beat faster.
If we had wings…

"I can give you wings Dukemon…" Grani had spoke
before merging with him.

Grani. You sacrificed your life to save us, but now we
need you more than ever. Please, we need your wings.

And with that thought, an ethereal glow surrounded the plummeting
Dukemon. It caused Hekatemon to narrow his eyes against its holy burn and made
his digimon servants scream in pain. Once the light dimmed, the Tamers looked
in shock at the new arrival.

He was covered in armor, like Dukemon, but unlike him, the
armor was red with golden accents. Ten shining white wings flapped behind him,
sending him upward, while a double-edged, golden lance rested tightly in his
hands.

"Whoa," Rapidmon spoke appraisingly. "Now that's what I
call a Mode Change. Unlike some digimon who just grew wings and got
contacts."

Giving him a dirty look, Beelzebumon charged up his
Darkness Claw, ready to send it into Archnemon's chest.

Jenrya couldn't help but stare. "That's…incredible."

Juri nodded mutely, still shocked at the transformation.

"Oooh, pretty!" Culumon giggled from his position on her
shoulder.

Even Ryou, couldn't help grinning from inside his sphere
of cerulean light. "Not bad." Justimon added.

As Dukemon Crimson Mode rose to meet him, Hekatemon
glowered at him furiously. A new form, most unexpected, he mused
fearfully. But feeling his energy nearly spent, he released Kuzuhamon and
prepared to vanish.

"This ends, now!" Dukemon roared in the voices of Takato
and Guilmon, catching Kuzuhamon and holding her tightly. "For all those you've
hurt, all those who have suffered because of you…" He shifted Kuzuhamon in his
arms and raised his lance.

"Now, with one final blow, fall into hell!" From the top
of the lance, a golden light began to shine, becoming more luminous by the
second.

"Quo Vidas!" The light was launched at Hekatemon, who
moved backwards in avoidance. But even that attempt couldn't save him. With a
horrific scream, he was enveloped within the blinding light, his already
wretched form reduced to miniscule bits of data, then vanishing completely.

"It's over." Dukemon said sighing. But he nearly cried out
in surprise when he felt movement occur in his arms. Holding Kuzuhamon closer,
he watched as pinprick cracks bloomed upon her body. And when the ice finally
shattered, he felt as if everything had stopped.

Kuzuhamon stared at him with slight surprise and Ruki
rolled her eyes. "Of course I'm alive. Did you really think that some frozen
freak with a case of fanboy worship would stop us?"

Shaking his head, Takato couldn't help but laugh. "No, I
guess not."

The pair descended slightly and once they were directly
over the Yashimoto building Dukemon hesitated.

"Something's wrong." He muttered with Guilmon's voice.

And when the image of Lee Janyuu appeared inside of his
sphere, Takato nearly jumped.

"Takato, thank goodness I was able to reach you. We're
only lucky that this satellite was still operational."

"Something weird is happening, sir." Takato responded.

"Listen to me Takato, you all must leave the building
immediately! Without the presence of the digimon to equate the Real and Digital
Worlds, the balance between them has been severely thrown out of whack. The
Yashimoto building can't handle the dimensional pressure and is collapsing
as a result."

As if to collaborate his words, the Yashimoto building's
shuddering doubled in pitch. Inside of it, Hekatemon's servants shattered into
data, then disappeared. The image of Janyuu abruptly vanished, leaving Takato
and Guilmon by themselves.

Standing quickly, Beelzebumon moved closer to Juri and
Jenrya, using his large wings to shield the three of them from the jagged
icicles.

"We have to get out of here!" Takato yelled over the roar
of the building. "The building is about to cave in!"

De-evolving quickly, Justimon separated into Ryou and
Cyberdramon, who took his partner with surprising gentleness, into his claws
and began beating his tattered wings in preparation for flight.

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Rapidmon fired his jets
and flew over to his partner.

De-evolving to Terriermon, the dog digimon smirked. "C'mon
Jen, the last thing we need is to be buried alive. Having a giant spider try to
eat me was enough fun for one day."

His partner smiled back at him. This day has been
terrible, but I wouldn't trade having you back for anything in the world.
"Let's go." He spoke aloud, clutching his D-Arc tightly. "Matrix Evolution
Activate!"

"Matrix Evolution." The words appeared and were spoken, as
an emerald light exploded from Jenrya's D-Arc, encasing him and Terriermon,
while his body changed into data and merged with his partner. "Terriermon,
Matrix Evolve!"

The light encased form grew larger and larger, nearly
filling the entire building. His head was of the canine variation, his body
covered in green armor and two large missile launchers, sat upon his shoulders.
"SaintGalgomon!"

Using one of his enormous hands, SaintGalgomon scooped up
Juri, and with a surge of his rockets, flew upwards, through the already
decimated roof.

Cyberdramon and Beelzebumon, followed behind them, as the
floor dropped out below.

"Need a lift?" Dukemon inquired half-jokingly.

Kuzuhamon considered for a moment, then nodded. "Very
well." She spoke in Renamon's voice and shifting into a more comfortable
position. "Just don't get used to it." Ruki added.

"Hey, are you two going to hover there all night?" Ryou
shouted to the pair.

Dukemon took the opportunity to rise into the air,
carrying a seething Kuzuhamon with him.

"One more comment like that and you'll wish that Dokugamon
had eaten you." She hissed angrily.

The building gave a final shudder, leaving an enormous
heap of rubble in its place. All of the ice near it faded, returning the areas
it touched to their original form.

The police and Special Forces finally reached the ruined
building, while the victorious Tamers and Beelzebumon flew overhead and into
the night.

~*~

The first thing that Hirokazu saw as he opened his eyes
the next morning, were the happy visages of Kenta and his small, pink fairy
digimon, MarineAngemon.

"Hey," Kenta spoke smiling.

"Pipi pii!" MarineAngemon piped up in greeting.

Hirokazu grinned slightly. "Hey yourself. Did you bring
it?"

That evening had been especially draining for him, waking
up from what seemed a long nap to find his mother crying and his father yelping
and Guardromon leaning against the wall. After giving his mother what she
called, "the fright of her life," he had spent the rest of the night undergoing
all types of tests in order to explain his "miraculous" recovery.

Kenta had been unable to visit him, but managed to get a
message to him by the departing Guardromon. The hospital staff had already
complained about Lopmon, though the Child digimon rarely spoke, and the sight
of a large robot in Hirokazu's room had sent Dr. Kinomoto away screaming.

"Do you have to ask?" Kenta replied as he reached into a
large bag and extracted a piece of Guilmon bread and several pieces of pocky.

Sitting up in his bed, Hirokazu greedily reached for the
food. "Thanks. With the food they serve around here, it's almost like they
don't want you to leave."

Kenta leaned back in his chair and watched his friend eat,
the doubtful feelings from the night before returned in full force.

"So, what happened?" Hirokazu asked between munches.
"You're not going to leave me hanging are you?"

Snapping out of his distraction, Kenta relayed everything
that Takato had told him the night before, when he along with his, Ruki, Jenrya
and Takato's parents all arrived at Shinjuku Park, courtesy of Yamaki, to meet
them.

His only interruption was the occasional "Pipi, pipi!"
Listening closely, Hirokazu couldn't help but smile at the mention of Takato's
Mode Change.

"Dukemon Crimson Mode? I knew Takato had it in him. And
rescuing The Digimon Queen, what more can a guy ask for?"

"Yeah." Kenta agreed halfheartedly. "What more?"

MarineAngemon flew to Kenta's shoulder and rubbed his head
against his partner's.

Raising an eyebrow, Hirokazu stared at his friend. "Hey,
you're not still all hung up about what happened in the park are you?" He
questioned. "Because it'd be really dumb to think that what happened to me is
your fault."

"But it was!" Kenta responded loudly. "If I hadn't left
you, you wouldn't have ended up the way you did."

"Yeah, but if you hadn't, you would have ended up just
like me. And if you hadn't gotten Takato, I might have been completely frozen
instead of halfway." Noticing that Kenta was ready to protest, he quickly
continued. "Anyway, I'm okay, Ruki's okay and I owe you one."

Kenta sighed. "I guess you're right."

Hirokazu smiled. "Definitely. So Takato and Ruki, that
gives me an idea-" But whatever he planned to say was cut off when Kenta shoved
the remaining Guilmon bread into his mouth.

"Why don't we let them work things out by themselves."
Kenta said cautiously. "I'd rather take on ten Hekatemons then The Digimon
Queen any day."

Making a face behind the bread, Hirokazu couldn't help but
laugh inwardly. Being frozen was pretty rough, but with Guardromon, Kenta,
Takato and the others behind me, I'm not afraid of anything. But when the
images of Ms. Asunama, his mother and Makino Ruki, The Digital Queen herself
entered his mind, Hirokazu's face faded.

Well, almost anything.

~*~

Yamaki stared out his office window, clicking his lighter
cover open and shut absently. He'd gotten little, to no sleep that night; or
rather morning prior and the situation itself had given him a bad feeling.

Hypnos had returned to its normal hustle and bustle, at
that moment Reika and Megumi were scanning the grid for any signs of digimon
activity. He knew he should have been pleased, his assumptions had been proven
correct after all, but he wasn't.

The sight of the Heads of Hypnos, some men even he had
never been acquainted with, entering the building early that morning had
knocked the idea of smugness completely out of his mind. And hearing them
mutter about "Operation: Dark Days," a protocol he'd never heard before put him
even more on edge. Whatever was happening, he hated being in the dark about it.

The Makino girl's return, the recovery of Shiota Hirokazu
and the destruction of the rouge digimon had improved his mood slightly, but
the discovery made afterwards simply lowered it again.

When Shibumi had failed to make an appearance, even after
the prior night's events, Janyuu and the rest of the Monster Makers had headed
to his last known apartment, only to find it torn apart, furniture strewn, and
blood and what looked like animal tracks covering the floor.

The police had then been called in, but Yamaki had enough
intuition to know that it was too late. Whoever had broken into Shibumi's
apartment had taken him, leaving no real clues behind.

After the rouge digimon was annihilated, they thought
that it was over, Yamaki mused. But what if it isn't? What if it,
whatever it may be, has only just begun?

~*~

Leaning against wall of her home, Ruki released a breath
she didn't know she was holding. After everything that had happened, including
a long, reluctant, explanation of how she and Renamon had become Kuzuhamon and
her mother's reaction, Ruki had just about had enough.

It was only after Seiko's assurances that Ruki wouldn't
"disappear into the night," and several meaningful glances, did Rumiko let her
daughter out of her sight.

Last night had been extremely exhausting for everyone
involved. Hirokazu's body had finally thawed out and rejoined the rest of the
world, but whether or not his brain accompanied him well, that was another
story.

Jenrya and his father had engaged in serious discussion
and judging by the seriousness blatant upon both their faces, whatever they
were talking about couldn't be good.

Tadashi had come for his daughter, then looked slightly
unnerved when Culumon cheerfully talked about, "the bad lion that tried to eat
us, but we were saved by Beelzebumon, culu!" At that point, the Demon Lord slowly
moved away from the group, then looked close to fainting when Kenta's mother
said he reminded her of someone she had once dated. "He didn't have three eyes,
or wings or a tail, that would have been silly. But he was a biker, and
goodness could he ride!"

Several coughs and "Moms!" later, Ai and Makoto made their
presence known by shrieking out the name Impmon, which lead Beelzebumon to
de-evolve and nearly be crushed in a double hug. They had come from being out
of town after seeing the news, which showed the ice expanding over Shinjuku.

But it was the reunion between Takato and his parents that
had been the most emotional. It had been crying on all sides, even Guilmon who
had no idea why he was crying and vocalized as such.

But despite the overt emotional displays, Ruki was happy
to be home. Sure her mother and at times most of the population, had a tendency
to annoy her at times, at least she had them. And as long as Renamon was with
her, she could handle things. She could sense her partner close by, waiting and
watching over her…

Opening her eyes reluctantly, Ruki glanced at the goggled
Tamer, who held a large bag in each hand.

"What are you doing here goggle-head?" Questioned Ruki.

Takato suddenly looked very nervous. "We didn't really get
to talk a lot last night and I wanted to apologize-plus my parents made a ton
of Guilmon bread and I wanted to bring you some."

Ruki looked behind him "Where is dino-boy anyway?"

Laughing slightly, Takato moved closer. "He's at the
bakery. Dad and Mom have been feeding him all sorts of things and he's happy
just to eat it. Where's Renamon?"

"She's around." Ruki replied coolly.

They fell into an uncomfortable silence. A silence that
was finally broken by Takato's speaking.

"Yesterday was an accident." Takato began slowly. "I
didn't want to go to the park without telling you, but when I called your
house, your grandmother said that you couldn't talk."

Ruki listened closely. She remembered her grandmother
telling her about the phone call-it had been the reason she had gone to the
park in the first place.

"And what happened with Juri-" Takato began to blush
again. "It wasn't…it wasn't what it looked like. I didn't want to hurt Juri or
you, but I just couldn't…I'm sorry." He lowered his eyes.

"Fine, I accept your apology." Ruki responded brusquely.
Even though she knew what had happened, she was more than happy not to bring it
up again.

"Is that all?" She asked pointedly.

"Well," Takato squirmed slightly under her firm gaze.
"There was one more thing I wanted to do."

Ruki rolled her eyes. "And that was…"

Here goes, Takato thought fearfully. "Just this."
And then he did something Ruki never expected. Leaning towards her, he planted
the gentlest of kisses on her lips and then pulled away, blushing furiously.

Ruki stared at him a moment, still trying to process what
had just happened. If anyone else had tried something like that, she would have
made sure they would have to have their teeth extracted from their trachea, but
she didn't feel like hurting Takato.

"Ruki?" Takato watched her carefully, feeling more than a
little unsure. He halfway expected her to hit him, she had threatened much
worse when he informed her of the dream he had had about her.

But his worry melted away when he saw Ruki smile faintly.
"You're lucky I like you goggle-head. Otherwise, you'd be wearing your teeth
right about now."

And on that day, in the company of the girl he loved, Matsuda
Takato finally smiled.

~The End~

~*~

From the roof of the Tokyo Towers, two figures stood
looking down upon the city. They were of nearly the same height, though the
pointy ears of the male gave him a slight advantage.

"Hekatemon was a failure." The male spoke, his voice a
raspy growl. "Aside from jeopardizing our plans with his ludicrous quest for
vengeance, he failed to accomplish his objective."

A female voice laughed gleefully. "Did you expect anything
less? Really Lobomon, I think you're being too hard on the poor fool." She
laughed even harder.

Lobomon glared at his counterpart. "Only you would find
this situation amusing Erinyemon. Need I remind you of the consequences that
would have befallen us, if Hekatemon had carried out his revenge? Or
perhaps you have forgotten what is at stake."

"I haven't forgotten anything." Erinyemon replied
cheerfully. "But look at them." She stretched her clawed hands outward.
"Pathetic humans scurrying about their meaningless little lives, completely unaware
of what's happening around them. So Hekatemon was a moron, he proved to be a
good distraction to the Tamers and allowed us to obtain what we needed. Don't
be such a killjoy."

Remaining silent for a moment, Lobomon snorted rudely.
"Hekatemon served his purpose, but he was still an imbecile. His demise was
hardly unprecedented."

"And it's only the beginning." Erinyemon purred. "The
rebirth of Demon shall commence and the world will burn. The blood and data of
humans and digimon alike will flood the lands and the black wings of darkness
shall blot out all light. The reign of Demon will soon begin."

"As will the slaughter of those foolish enough to oppose
him." Lobomon concluded.

Erinyemon smiled evilly. "Slaughter, death, pain. I can't
think of a better way to end the rules of the Sovereigns and the humans. Ice is
far too quick, but fire…" A small ball of red flames appeared in her hand.
"Fire brings many more delicious screams, especially when the body slowly
begins to char and blacken…"

Lobomon rolled his eyes. "Your obsession with fire is
irritating." He snarled, as his body began to fade from sight.

"But it's so much fun! Like all torture. And I'm sure that
the Tamers will think so too." Erinyemon responded, as she too vanished into
nothingness…

~*~

Note2: The line, "With one final blow, fall into hell,"
was used in the Japanese version of Tamers, spoken by Takato when he was about
to delete Beelzebumon. It was one of my favorite lines throughout the series
and I felt it was appropriate for the situtation. "Lobo" is Spanish for wolf.
The word "Erinyes" is another name for the Furies, Greek deities that were
agents of justice, who sought out, administered and oversaw the torments of
mortals within the underworld.

The author would like to thank you for your continued support. Your review has been posted.